Match Reports 2006/07

Match Reports 2006/07

New Mills (H) 0 - 5

Chadderton (H) 1 - 1

Daisy Hill where playing back to back games against Chadderton having lost narrowly to two late goals the previous week in the Challenge cup away.This week was a home league fixture and they were hoping to take all 3 points.Daisy started brightly but there was nothing between the sides in the early part of the game.On 25 mins an incisive break from Martin Irvine and good movement from Simon Farrell ended with a fine low shot in the far side of the net by Farrell.The game got a bit scrappy with neither side taking control of the game but after a long kick out from goalkeeper Moore the ball was eventually crossed and the Chadderton striker did well to hold off Obertelli and score with a neat finish on 37 mins.1-1 at half-time and after the break it continued to be scrappy on a heavy pitch after the mornings rain.Moore did exceptionally well with a double save late in the game to keep the home side in it and an ill-tempered last 15 mins saw Farrell and Jones get sent off as well as a Chadderton player.In the end a draw was just about the right result with Daisy Hill picking up a much needed point.

Chadderton (A) 2 - 0 League Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Winsford (H) 0 - 1

Fleetwood Town (A) 3 - 2 LFA Trophy

DAISY Hill were left heartbroken after Fleetwood Town struck a last minute winner to knock the struggling NWCL Division Two side out of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.Tommy Moore's team showed plenty of character to come from behind twice against the UniBond Premier League outfit with goals from Danny Williams and Steve obertelli. With 10 minutes remaining, Daisy Hill's Simon Farrell was brought down by the goalkeeper outside the penalty area when he looked certain to score.The Town keeper was sent off but the chance had gone, and the injustice was further compounded when Mickey Saunders struck in the final minute.

Bootle (A) 2 - 1

Darwen (H) 0 - 4

In Division Two, Daisy Hill could not pull off a repeat of their Challenge Cup heroics against high-flying Darwen.

Tommy Moore's side dumped Darwen out of the competition the week before but the visitors gained their revenge in a 4-0 victory at New Sirs.

Blackpool Mechanics (A) 1 - 1

Darwen (A) 0 - 2  League Challenge Cup 

Super sub Rob Houghton hit a fantastic double as Daisy Hill sealed a fine 2-0 win at Darwen in the first round of the League Challenge Cup.

The midfield man struck twice in extra-time as Tommy Moore's side overcame their high-flying Division Two rivals.

Holker Old Boys (A) 0 - 2

New Mills (H) 1 - 3

The home side started very brightly and had the better of the early exchanges. They should have gone ahead early in the game with Jackson having one shot blocked by a defender when in a good position then the goalkeeper thwarted when through one on one. New Mills then went close when a corner to the near post was glanced and it the upright. On 30 minutes Daisy shot themselves in the foot when, having a free kick themselves in the visitors last third, saw them give the ball away and a through ball saw the striker go around the keeper Whittle and roll into an empty net. This was totally against the run of play. Daisy still pushed forward and nearly equalized with a header that just went wide of the post. New Mills always looked dangerous on the break. However another mistake when Bennett got caught in possession at the back and the striker through in on goal duly dispatched on 40 mins. The 2-0 score line at half time did not reflect the territorial advantage that Daisy Hill had gained. The second half couldn’t have started any worse and virtually killed off the game as far as the home side were concerned. Another defensive mistake, this time by Hope, resulted in a very good finish across Whittle in the far side of the net. However, the home side continued to press and got a deserved goal back on the hour when a header against the crossbar by Farrell saw Williams score the rebound with a header. Again, the home side pressed and New Mills were under a great deal of pressure and on 80 mins Naylor hit the post. The away side got numbers back behind the ball and was trying to catch Daisy on the break. If the home side had scored the second when hitting the post. Manager, Tommy Moore felt they would have got something out of the game but it wasn’t to be. On the balance of the game Daisy Hill deserved at least a draw but there has to be more clinical finishing and cutting out the individual errors at the back.

Atherton LR (H) 3 - 4

Manager, Tommy Moore was very disappointed with the score line of 3-4 but feels it is a case of new players trying to gel together plus a different system brought about by the Goldline rules that prioritises goals scored before goal difference which affected his approach into this game. Daisy Hill were under pressure for the first 20 mins and were probably happy having only conceded one in this time. They dug in and got their defensive shape right after this and gradually came into the game playing more controlled football. They levelled on the half hour with a finely struck shot from Capstick from 25yards.They then took the lead after a fine run from Chris Naylor from a Capstick pass saw the goalkeeper parry the ball into the path of Farrell who had the easiest of chances. Daisy more than happy to go in at half-time 2-1.Daisy Hill substituted Cunniffe for Ashworth who had an immediate impact in the first 5mins of the second half. He took an in-swinging free kick from outside the box only for the Atherton keeper make an awful mistake to make it 3-1 to the home side. The game became stretched and Atherton were trying hard to get back in the game. First a quick free kick caught Daisy napping only for keeper Moore to come out and smother the ball and the young keeper was having a fine game. Then another free kick on the right and Daisy were sleeping again but no reprieve this time. A cross to the far post found the striker with a free header and he dispatched to the bottom corner unopposed. Moore then made another fine save before Daisy broke away through Ashworth who beat two players and rounded the goalkeeper only to produce a weak finish and some good defensive work. This would have sealed the game and they would have progressed through to last eight. But Atherton turned the tie on its head with 15mins to go. First they found space on the left to cross to the far post were another free header hit the bar and bounced down for another Atherton forward to score. Then within a few minutes they scored again with another unmarked forward in the 6 yard box had the time to volley and then score off the rebound. Wynne went close up front on a couple of occasions but home side felt they had done enough to win it. Certainly a few defensive errors which need to be improved on the training ground although special mention to the back 3 of Wynne, Bennett and Hope and another good performance from youngster Moore.

Ashton Town  (A) 0 - 0

On a very hard and lively surface both teams struggled to get the ball down and pass the ball about. The young side of Ashton competed well against the more mature and experienced side of Daisy Hill. To be fair, both teams didn,t create many clear cut chances and seemed to cancel each other out. In the first half Bloxham went close from a free kick for Ashton and Jackson jinked his way passed a couple of defenders before shooting tamely at the Ashton keeper,Vickers. Ashton then had a header cleared off the line by Whitaker and then Jackson of Daisy Hill,with a quick turn and shot had Vickers saving at full stretch. The second half was very similar with both defences on top but Daisy Hill, had the better of the early exchanges. Ashton went close when a free kick to the far post could not be converted. Then Gavin in the last few minutes looked certain to score only for the Ashton defender to make a last ditch clearance. Outstanding at the back were Wynne and Hope with good performances from youngsters Moore in goal and Whitaker in central defence. Chris Naylor dominated more in the central midfield in the second half with the lively Jackson and smart touches of Cunniffe also one to watch. This was the first competitive match Daisy Hill have played, so it was no surprise to the management team, that players that had never played together struggled to find any rhythm. However,a clean sheet was a good start to the season and Daisy will hope to build on this for the rest of the season.